Roger Moore on Skyfall: “Daniel Craig Is, Without a Doubt, the Bond”

Having played James Bond in seven of the franchise’s films, Sir Roger Moore is a certified 007 aficionado, evidenced in his recently released Bond on Bond: Reflections on 50 Years of James Bond Movies. As our November cover boy, Daniel Craig, returns to theaters in Skyfall, Heinekens in tow, VF Daily caught up with Moore, who landed the iconic role in Live and Let Die nearly 40 years ago. Highlights from our chat:VF Daily: Did you enjoy Skyfall?Sir Roger Moore: It’s the best Bond ever. I called Barbara Broccoli and said, “Dana and Cubby—the parents—would be so proud of them to give Bond another 50 years.” It really is an amazing movie.

Were you surprised by the initial backlash against Daniel Craig when they first announced he would play Bond?

The press was terrible. The English press can be so negative. I just did not understand that at all. I wasn’t in England, so I e-mailed Barbara to tell Daniel Craig not to let the buggers get to you. He is a real Bond.__

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In your book, you mentioned that Sean Connery is the gold standard. How does Craig compare?

If I could go back and write another chapter, I would take the liberty of changing my mind. Daniel Craig is, without a doubt, the Bond. He has just got it all.

I know that you have refrained from naming your favorite Bond girl, to avoid hurt feelings, but of all the gadgets used in your seven Bond films, what was your favorite?

My favorite has to be the magnetic watch! Unzipping lovely Madeline Smith’s dress. It didn’t work, you know. The prop man had the best job. He was underneath her skirt—with his eyes closed, he promised—pulling the wire. Although he said, “It didn’t look quite right to me. Can we do it again?”You wrote that 40 years ago when you landed the role, it was something of a career gamble.

[Laughs.] Career gamble. Lew Grade in England wanted me to keep doing television for him. He said, “Oh Roger, you’ll ruin your career!” I said, “What career?” He was right—it’s ruined it completely.